Daily Devotions
Romans
"He who observes the day observes it to the Lord."
Text: Romans 14:6
A POWERFUL CONCEPT
What a powerful concept Paul introduced here! He teaches us how we ought to make our faith in God become a very great reality.
“He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord;
and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord
he does not observe it.
He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks;
and he who does not eat, to the LORD, he does not eat,
and gives God thanks.”
Romans 14:6
1. “To the Lord”
a) This is an example of practising the lordship of Jesus in the Christian life.
b) Two aspects are mentioned:
i) Observing of special days
ii) Eating (dietary concerns)
c) Two variations are considered:
i) Careful observance – to the Lord
ii) Choosing to abstain – also to the Lord
2. Significance of practising the lordship of Christ.
a) There is conscious acknowledgment of Christ as the Lord.
b) The exercise of freedom/liberty is applied astutely here- and not compromised.
c) There is the cultivation of a faith made real and relevant in life.
d) Faith in the Lord becomes even more alive and real through conscious practice.
EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT TO PERFECT THIS CONCEPT
Both Jews and Gentiles may practise the lordship of Christ and come up with different applications. These differences are actually healthy. Part of maturing spiritually involves the challenge of perfecting the concept of practising the lordship of Jesus! If Jesus is truly Lord in our faith and life, people will become less opinionated and more inclined to listen and obey the Master!